Best family safari holidays in Botswana
It is true that a rather exclusive make up, a staid atmosphere and safety issues like game risks, high walkways and unguarded pools still make a lot of camps in Botswana not suitable for family safari holidays. That said, some smaller lodges and (mobile) safari camps are more flexible, e.g. concerning meal times and children's dietary requests, and so cater well to families with children.
Furthermore there are a couple of accommodation options that offer slightly separated family suites or that are booked on an exclusive-use basis.
Whichever option you choose, parents will often need to book a private vehicle and guide if they want to safari together with their children. This may sound like a rather inconvenient requirement - however, it can significantly enhance your family safari experience in Botswana. A private 4WD and your own guide will allow you to set your own schedule and adapt your safari to the age, interests and wishes of your children.
Porcupine Safari
11 days • 4 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$9,300 - US$14,450 per person
Savute Safari Lodge
With a swimming pool and a large family chalet with 2 ensuite bedrooms Savute Safari Lodge is a great stop on a family safari in Botswana.
Tau Pan Camp
Tau Pan is a good option for families with older children who have a keen interest in nature. Short walks are a great way of learning about the fauna and flora. The camp also offers a ‘family safari’, led by a private guide and tracker.
Machaba Camp
Machaba has two very spacious family tents and is a good option for a family safari in Botswana with older children who are enthusiastic about wildlife.
Splash Camp
The exclusive use Splash Enclave has its own private main area including a pool and no age restrictions making it a fantastic option for a family visiting Botswana.
Tsessebe Safari
7 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$5,400 - US$11,050 per person
Shinde Camp
A family chalet, specialist family friendly guiding programme and a more relaxed child policy than most of Botswana's safari camps make Shinde a wonderful camp for your family safari to Botswana.
Kanana
Kanana has a more relaxed child policy than most of Botswana's camps, where it's unusual for families with children under 12 years not to have to book and pay for a private vehicle, although they may still choose to for greater flexibility.
Okuti
Okuti is part of the Young Explorers programme, offering families a specialist guide who has experience guiding children in the bush. It is also fenced and takes children aged 7+ making it a great family friendly safari camp.
Mopane Squirrel Safari
6 days • 2 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$5,600 - US$10,190 per person
Lagoon Camp
For those with older children who are enthusiastic about wildlife, Lagoon Camp is a good option for a family holiday in Botswana. As well as having a family chalet, the camp offers a privately guided “family safari”.
Splash Camp
The exclusive use Splash Enclave has its own private main area including a pool and no age restrictions making it a fantastic option for a family visiting Botswana.
Ground Squirrel Safari
7 days • 2 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$6,430 - US$9,450 per person
Private Mobile
The team behind the Botswana Private Mobile Safari has a lot of experience in family safaris. The owners have a young child of their own and with a minimum age of 6 this is a great option for family safaris.
Kanana
Kanana has a more relaxed child policy than most of Botswana's camps, where it's unusual for families with children under 12 years not to have to book and pay for a private vehicle, although they may still choose to for greater flexibility.
Spring Hare Safari
9 days • 3 locations
KASANE AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$6,570 - US$11,430 per person
Muchenje Safari Lodge
For a family safari in Botswana, Muchenje is a fantastic option with guides who specialised in guiding children for years. The lodge has a family room with two single beds in a 'loft' area (albeit up a fairly steep stepladder).
Savute Safari Lodge
With a swimming pool and a large family chalet with 2 ensuite bedrooms Savute Safari Lodge is a great stop on a family safari in Botswana.
Pom Pom Camp
With a family chalet, consisting of two interlinked bedrooms with a shared bathroom, Pom Pom Camp is a good option on a family safari to Botswana.
Wild Dog Safari
13 days • 5 locations
KASANE AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$10,500 - US$18,330 per person
Muchenje Safari Lodge
For a family safari in Botswana, Muchenje is a fantastic option with guides who specialised in guiding children for years. The lodge has a family room with two single beds in a 'loft' area (albeit up a fairly steep stepladder).
Savute Safari Lodge
With a swimming pool and a large family chalet with 2 ensuite bedrooms Savute Safari Lodge is a great stop on a family safari in Botswana.
Lagoon Camp
For those with older children who are enthusiastic about wildlife, Lagoon Camp is a good option for a family holiday in Botswana. As well as having a family chalet, the camp offers a privately guided “family safari”.
Splash Camp
The exclusive use Splash Enclave has its own private main area including a pool and no age restrictions making it a fantastic option for a family visiting Botswana.
African Jacana Safari
7 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$7,540 - US$11,910 per person
Camp Kalahari
Quadbiking across Botwana's Kalahari saltpans and a fascinating Bushman experiences make for memorable family safari holidays at Camp Kalahari. Visiting the habituated families of meerkats here is another highlight for children and adults alike.
Linyanti Ebony
Linyanti Ebony’s spacious family room is a good accommodation for Botswana family safari holidays, particularly with slightly older children. Combine this with the ‘Young Explorers’ programme to have a specialist family guide travel with you.
Large-spotted Genet Safari
9 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$10,150 - US$20,540 per person
Chitabe Lediba
The family chalets at Chitabe Lediba are two fully functioning standard chalets with their own ensuite bathrooms joined by a short corridor. This coupled with an informal atmosphere make the camp a fantastic option for a family safari in Botswana.
Splash Camp
The exclusive use Splash Enclave has its own private main area including a pool and no age restrictions making it a fantastic option for a family visiting Botswana.
Bushbuck Safari
8 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$12,250 - US$26,620 per person
Chitabe Lediba
The family chalets at Chitabe Lediba are two fully functioning standard chalets with their own ensuite bathrooms joined by a short corridor. This coupled with an informal atmosphere make the camp a fantastic option for a family safari in Botswana.
DumaTau
Duma Tau has two family units; each consisting of two en-suite rooms separated by an open deck. It would best suit families on safari in Botswana with children aged over 12; those with younger children have to book a private vehicle.
Aardwolf Safari
5 days • 2 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$4,400 - US$7,660 per person
Machaba Camp
Machaba has two very spacious family tents and is a good option for a family safari in Botswana with older children who are enthusiastic about wildlife.
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Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.

Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
2,395 sightings from 2,962 observations

Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
46% SUCCESS
1,529 sightings from 3,305 observations

Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
31% SUCCESS
786 sightings from 2,525 observations

Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
31% SUCCESS
694 sightings from 2,206 observations

Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
53% SUCCESS
1,663 sightings from 3,135 observations

Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
16% SUCCESS
196 sightings from 1,217 observations

Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
These highly sociable little mammals have an endearing appearance and comical antics. Found in the drier areas of Southern Africa, close encounters are a sought-after experience.
22% SUCCESS
74 sightings from 333 observations

Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
90% SUCCESS
2,874 sightings from 3,183 observations

Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
82% SUCCESS
2,012 sightings from 2,449 observations

Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
85% SUCCESS
2,757 sightings from 3,227 observations

Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
2,086 sightings from 2,349 observations

Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
477 sightings from 1,585 observations

White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
387 sightings from 902 observations

Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,067 sightings from 1,523 observations

Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
47% SUCCESS
1,110 sightings from 2,368 observations

Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
22% SUCCESS
369 sightings from 1,659 observations

Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
21% SUCCESS
354 sightings from 1,662 observations

Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
17% SUCCESS
46 sightings from 273 observations

Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
66% SUCCESS
1,944 sightings from 2,926 observations

Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
3,034 sightings from 3,615 observations

Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
42 sightings from 2,649 observations

Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
62 sightings from 2,708 observations
